Misako Satake (佐竹 美佐子, Satake Misako; born 19 January 1951) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the…Misako Satake (佐竹 美佐子, Satake Misako; born 19 January 1951) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Motonari Takano (Japanese: 高野 元成, Hepburn: Takano Motonari; January 12, 1951 - April 1, 2006), better known as Ai…Motonari Takano (Japanese: 高野 元成, Hepburn: Takano Motonari; January 12, 1951 - April 1, 2006), better known as Ai Takano (アイ高野, Ai Takano) and nicknamed Motchin, was a Japanese singer. He is best known for his performances of the theme songs for the anime Galactic Whirlwind Sasuraiger, Pettonton, and Kyojuu Tokusou Juspion. Takano also sung the songs in Ai Shite Knight for the fictional in-story band, Bee Hive, even though the singer character, Gou, is voiced by singer Isao Sasaki. Before starting his anisong career, Takano was drummer of The Golden Cups and a vocalist of Creation.
Tadayoshi Nagashima (長島 忠美, Nagashima Tadayoshi; 9 January 1951 – 18 August 2017) was a Japanese politician who served…Tadayoshi Nagashima (長島 忠美, Nagashima Tadayoshi; 9 January 1951 – 18 August 2017) was a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Kazuko Sawamatsu (Japanese: 沢松和子, born 5 January 1951) is a retired tennis player from Japan. She competed in a number…Kazuko Sawamatsu (Japanese: 沢松和子, born 5 January 1951) is a retired tennis player from Japan. She competed in a number of major LTA tournaments in the 1970s on the world circuit. At the 1975 Australian Open, she reached the quarterfinals as well as reached the quarterfinals of the French Open and U.S. Open the same year. She also reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in 1973, and won the 1975 Wimbledon ladies doubles title with partner Ann Kiyomura. In November 1975, she won the singles title at the Japan Open Tennis Championships, defeating Kiyomura in the final in three sets, and together they won the doubles title. Sawamatsu is the sister of tennis player Junko Sawamatsu and the aunt of Naoko Sawamatsu.
Ryoko Onozawa (小野沢 良子, Onozawa Ryōko; born 1 January 1951), also written as Yoshiko Onozawa, is a Japanese speed…Ryoko Onozawa (小野沢 良子, Onozawa Ryōko; born 1 January 1951), also written as Yoshiko Onozawa, is a Japanese speed skater. She competed in two events at the 1972 Winter Olympics.
Takako Hasegawa (長谷川たか子, Hasegawa Takako; born 1 January 1951) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed at the 1972 Summer…Takako Hasegawa (長谷川たか子, Hasegawa Takako; born 1 January 1951) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics where she finished thirty-fifth in the individual all around.
Dai Muneishi (Japanese: 宗石 大; born January 1, 1951) is a Japanese jockey and trainer at the Kochi Racecourse. He was…Dai Muneishi (Japanese: 宗石 大; born January 1, 1951) is a Japanese jockey and trainer at the Kochi Racecourse. He was known as trainer of the thoroughbred Haru Urara. His first race was with Burringbar at Kochi. He achieved his first win with Gambare Shacho. His overall record according to Sky Racing World website: 61 wins, 273 places, among 3,495 total starts, not getting a single grade during his career.
Baku Yumemakura (夢枕 獏, Yumemakura Baku; born 1951 in Odawara, Kanagawa) (real name: Yoneyama Mineo (米山峰夫)) is a…Baku Yumemakura (夢枕 獏, Yumemakura Baku; born 1951 in Odawara, Kanagawa) (real name: Yoneyama Mineo (米山峰夫)) is a Japanese science fiction and adventure writer whose penname translates to Dream Pillow (Yumemakura) Tapir (Baku). His works have sold more than 20 million copies in Japan spread across more than 280 titles and adapted into a variety of formats including feature films, television shows, movies and comic books. His works are influenced by outdoor interests such as fishing, particularly Ayu fishing, mountain climbing, canoeing as well as manga, photography, pottery, art, calligraphy, martial arts. He has published a number of photo collections of his journeys through Nepalese mountains. He is best known for writing Jōgen no Tsuki wo Taberu Shishi (The Lion that Ate the Crescent Moon), which won both the Seiun Award and the Nihon SF Taisho Award. He also has written film scripts, including the one to Onmyōji. One of his popular martial arts serials that has been adapted into manga is Garōden (餓狼伝), which has also been adapted to two video games and a movie. His novel series Majūgari (also known as Demon Hunters) has been adapted into an anime OVA Psycho Diver: Soul Siren and three manga series. He's been nicknamed "the artisan of violence" due to one of his popular martial arts novel series, Shishi no Mon (獅子の門, Gate of Fierce Lions). As of 2014, he has been working on the scripts for the manga series Shin Garōden with renowned manga artist Masami Nobe. He is also a past president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan organization.
Fumio Tajima (田嶋 文生, Tajima Fumio), (born 1951) is a Japanese population geneticist known for his contributions to…Fumio Tajima (田嶋 文生, Tajima Fumio), (born 1951) is a Japanese population geneticist known for his contributions to coalescence theory. He developed the test statistic now known as Tajima's D.
Tsutomu Hikida (Japanese: 疋田 努, born 1951) is a Japanese zoologist and herpetologist. He is an emeritus professor at…Tsutomu Hikida (Japanese: 疋田 努, born 1951) is a Japanese zoologist and herpetologist. He is an emeritus professor at Kyoto University, known for his extensive research in herpetology, particularly the systematics, taxonomy, and biogeography of reptiles and amphibians. He has served as president of the Herpetological Society of Japan and as chairman of its Committee on Standard Japanese Names.
Ryoji Yamagishi (山岸 良二, Yamagishi Ryōji; born 1951) is a Japanese archaeologist, national director of the Japanese…Ryoji Yamagishi (山岸 良二, Yamagishi Ryōji; born 1951) is a Japanese archaeologist, national director of the Japanese Archaeological Association. A graduate of Keio University and Toho University, his work ranges from a history of the Jōmon-Yayoi people and Narashino cavalry, to culture in the Sea of Japan area and ancient farming practices.
Masao Takiyama (滝山 正夫 or 滝山 雅夫, Takiyama Masao) is a Japanese anime producer and production designer who is currently…Masao Takiyama (滝山 正夫 or 滝山 雅夫, Takiyama Masao) is a Japanese anime producer and production designer who is currently the executive officer and chairman of the Japanese satellite television network Action Channel, Mystery Channel and The Cinema. Each subsidiaries of AXN Co., Ltd.
Kyoichi Jim Kijima (木嶋 恭一, born 1951) is a Japanese systems scientist and professor of Decision Systems Science at the…Kyoichi Jim Kijima (木嶋 恭一, born 1951) is a Japanese systems scientist and professor of Decision Systems Science at the Tokyo Institute of Technology.
The Kunio-kun (くにおくん) series (typically localized as River City) is a video game series started by Technōs Japan. The…The Kunio-kun (くにおくん) series (typically localized as River City) is a video game series started by Technōs Japan. The series is now handled by Arc System Works who purchased all of the intellectual property rights from Technōs' successor, Million Corp. The first game in the series is fully titled Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun (熱血硬派くにおくん), which roughly translates to "Hot Blood Tough Guy Kunio", with Nekketsu being the name of the series' title character Kunio's high school. The kun suffix after his name is an informal Japanese honorific usually applied to young males. The series originated in arcades, before appearing on the Famicom console. Kunio later became Technōs Japan's main mascot, appearing on the company's logo in several games and television commercials. A few of the early Kunio games for the Nintendo Entertainment System were localized for the North American market. These include Renegade, River City Ransom, Super Dodge Ball, Crash 'n' the Boys: Street Challenge and Nintendo World Cup, which are heavily "Americanized" versions of the Kunio-kun games. Technōs Japan has released over twenty Kunio-kun titles for the Famicom, Game Boy, and Super Famicom in Japan. In addition, licensed ports of the games were made for other platforms such as the PC Engine (through Naxat Soft), Mega Drive (through Pal Soft) and the X68000 (through Sharp).
Christopher Yohmei Blasdel (クリストファー遙盟, born 1951 in Canyon, Texas) is a shakuhachi performer, researcher and writer…Christopher Yohmei Blasdel (クリストファー遙盟, born 1951 in Canyon, Texas) is a shakuhachi performer, researcher and writer specializing in the music of Japan and Asia. He studied under well known masters, holds a 5th-degree black belt in Aikido, and has made significant contributions to the promotion of Japanese music globally through performances, teaching, and publications in both English and Japanese. Blasdel's work has been recognized with awards, including the Sixth Rennyo Prize for Non-Fiction.
Hirofumi Akagi (born in Okayama, Japan) is a Japanese electrical engineer and Distinguished Emeritus Professor at the…Hirofumi Akagi (born in Okayama, Japan) is a Japanese electrical engineer and Distinguished Emeritus Professor at the Institute of Science Tokyo. He specializes in power electronics and power conversion systems. He developed the three-level neutral-point-clamped PWM inverters and the three-phase instantaneous power theory, commonly known as p-q theory.
Reiko Miyaoka (Japanese: 宮岡 礼子, born 1951) is a Japanese mathematician and professor at Tohoku University, known for…Reiko Miyaoka (Japanese: 宮岡 礼子, born 1951) is a Japanese mathematician and professor at Tohoku University, known for her research on hypersurfaces. In 2001 she won the Geometry prize of the Mathematical Society of Japan. She received her Ph.D. in 1983 from Tokyo Institute of Technology. Her husband Yoichi Miyaoka is also a mathematician.
Chang Juu-en (Chinese: 張祖恩; pinyin: Zhāng Zǔ'ēn; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tiuⁿ Chó͘-un; born 1951) is a Taiwanese civil engineer who…Chang Juu-en (Chinese: 張祖恩; pinyin: Zhāng Zǔ'ēn; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tiuⁿ Chó͘-un; born 1951) is a Taiwanese civil engineer who served as Minister of the Environmental Protection Administration from 2003 to 2005.
Takanobu Takahashi (高橋 孝信, Takahashi Takanobu; born 1951) is a Japanese Indologist, who is currently associate…Takanobu Takahashi (高橋 孝信, Takahashi Takanobu; born 1951) is a Japanese Indologist, who is currently associate professor of Indian literature at International Buddhist University at Osaka, Japan. He is the second translator of the Kural into Japanese.
Minae Mizumura (水村 美苗, Mizumura Minae; born 1951) is a Japanese novelist. Among other literary awards, she has won the…Minae Mizumura (水村 美苗, Mizumura Minae; born 1951) is a Japanese novelist. Among other literary awards, she has won the Noma Literary New Face Prize and the Yomiuri Prize.
Isao Imai (今井 功, Imai Isao; born December 26, 1939) is a Japanese attorney-at-law (a counsel of TMI Associates) and was…Isao Imai (今井 功, Imai Isao; born December 26, 1939) is a Japanese attorney-at-law (a counsel of TMI Associates) and was a member of the Supreme Court of Japan.
Isao Natsuyagi (夏八木 勲, Natsuyagi Isao; 25 December 1939 – 11 May 2013) was a Japanese film actor. He appeared in more…Isao Natsuyagi (夏八木 勲, Natsuyagi Isao; 25 December 1939 – 11 May 2013) was a Japanese film actor. He appeared in more than 100 films from 1963 to 2013.
Reiko Kobayashi (小林 禮子, Kobayashi Reiko; 1939–1996), formerly Reiko Kitani (木谷 禮子, Kitani Reiko), was a Japanese female…Reiko Kobayashi (小林 禮子, Kobayashi Reiko; 1939–1996), formerly Reiko Kitani (木谷 禮子, Kitani Reiko), was a Japanese female 7-dan professional Go player at Nihon Ki-in.
Hiromi Tsuchida (土田ヒロミ, Tsuchida Hiromi; born 1939) is a Japanese photographer. His creative photo career is over 40…Hiromi Tsuchida (土田ヒロミ, Tsuchida Hiromi; born 1939) is a Japanese photographer. His creative photo career is over 40 years long. Tsuchida has produced several collections of photographs of the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. He has produced many photo books such as Zokushin, Counting Grains of Sand, New Counting Grains of Sand and The Berlin Wall. There is also a retrospective of his life's work titled, Hiromi Tsuchida's Japan. Tsuchida has received the Nobuo Ina Award and the Ken Domon Award.
Takashi Kawamura (川村隆, Kawamura Takashi; born December 19, 1939) is a director and the chairman of Tokyo Electric Power…Takashi Kawamura (川村隆, Kawamura Takashi; born December 19, 1939) is a director and the chairman of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO), a semi-nationalized electric utility company, and the former chairman and president of Hitachi, Ltd., the Japanese multinational electronics and engineering conglomerate. He had worked at Hitachi for his entire business career and retired as senior adviser to the company in June 2016. On request of the Japanese government, Kawamura has served as chairman of the electric power company since June 2017, after it was found responsible for the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.
Seiichi Sugano (菅野誠一 17 December 1939 – 29 August 2010) was a Japanese Aikido teacher who lived and taught in many…Seiichi Sugano (菅野誠一 17 December 1939 – 29 August 2010) was a Japanese Aikido teacher who lived and taught in many Western countries. He held the rank of an 8th dan Aikikai.
Rokuzaemon Yoshida (吉田 六左エ門, Yoshida Rokuzaemon; born 15 December 1939) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal…Rokuzaemon Yoshida (吉田 六左エ門, Yoshida Rokuzaemon; born 15 December 1939) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Tamiji Sato (佐藤 多美治, Satō Tamiji; born December 14, 1939) is a retired Japanese freestyle wrestler. He competed at the…Tamiji Sato (佐藤 多美治, Satō Tamiji; born December 14, 1939) is a retired Japanese freestyle wrestler. He competed at the 1960 Olympics and 1961 World Championships in the 62 kg division and finished fourth on both occasions.
Mayumi Ogawa (小川眞由美; December 11, 1939 – March 26, 2026) was a Japanese actress. She won the award for best supporting…Mayumi Ogawa (小川眞由美; December 11, 1939 – March 26, 2026) was a Japanese actress. She won the award for best supporting actress at the 3rd Japan Academy Prize and at the 4th Hochi Film Award for Vengeance Is Mine and The Three Undelivered Letters. In 2008, Ogawa got ordained as a Shingon Buddhist nun. In an interview with J-Cast News, she mentioned that during her tonsure ceremony, only one strand of hair was pulled out. Ogawa remained involved in the entertainment industry in later life. Ogawa died from coronary artery disease on March 26, 2026, at the age of 86. Her death was not announced publicly until August 9.
Saburo Yokomizo (横溝 三郎, Yokomizo Saburō; 9 December 1939 – 14 November 2024) was a Japanese middle-distance runner. He…Saburo Yokomizo (横溝 三郎, Yokomizo Saburō; 9 December 1939 – 14 November 2024) was a Japanese middle-distance runner. He competed in the men's 3000 metres steeplechase at the 1964 Summer Olympics. Yokomizo died from liver cancer on 14 November 2024, at the age of 84.
Masahiko Kinoshi (喜熨斗 政彦, Kinoshi Masahiko; December 9, 1939 – September 13, 2023), better known by his stage name…Masahiko Kinoshi (喜熨斗 政彦, Kinoshi Masahiko; December 9, 1939 – September 13, 2023), better known by his stage name Ichikawa Ennosuke III (三代目 市川 猿之助, Sandaime Ichikawa Ennosuke; Japanese pronunciation: [i.tɕi̥.kaꜜ.wa (|) en.no.sɯ̥.ke]), was a Japanese kabuki actor, famous for his love of keren (stage tricks). He was considered the king of chūnori; he flew out over the audience, held aloft on strings, over 5000 times.
Udagawa Katsutarō (born Hideo Udagawa; December 3, 1939 – July 24, 1989) was a sumo wrestler from Adachi, Tokyo, Japan.…Udagawa Katsutarō (born Hideo Udagawa; December 3, 1939 – July 24, 1989) was a sumo wrestler from Adachi, Tokyo, Japan. He made his professional debut in September 1954 and reached the top division in January 1960. His highest rank was maegashira 3. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under a series of different names, since he didn't own a toshiyori-kabu of his own. He left the Sumo Association in October 1977.
Heizaburo Ōkawa (大川 平三郎, Ōkawa Heizaburō; born 2 December 1939) is a Japanese fencer. He competed at the 1960, 1964 and…Heizaburo Ōkawa (大川 平三郎, Ōkawa Heizaburō; born 2 December 1939) is a Japanese fencer. He competed at the 1960, 1964 and 1968 Summer Olympics. He taught and coached fencing at Cal State Fullerton until his retirement in June 2006.
Fumie Hama (浜 文恵, Hama Fumie; born 29 November 1939) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed in three events at the…Fumie Hama (浜 文恵, Hama Fumie; born 29 November 1939) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed in three events at the 1960 Winter Olympics.
Kōsei Ono (小野 耕世, Ono Kōsei; born November 28, 1939) is a Japanese film critic, cartoon critic, comic translator and…Kōsei Ono (小野 耕世, Ono Kōsei; born November 28, 1939) is a Japanese film critic, cartoon critic, comic translator and overseas comic / animation researcher. Ono is the leading authority on the publication, research and introduction of overseas comics (gaikoku manga) in Japan. From 1963 to 1974 he worked for NHK. He is a visiting professor in the Asia Department of Kokushikan University, a board member of the Japan Society for Studies in Manga and Comic Art, and a member of ASIFA JAPAN, the Japan Cartoonists Association, and the Japan Science Fiction Writer's Club.
Yoshinobu Miyake (三宅 義信, Miyake Yoshinobu; born November 24, 1939) is a retired Japanese weightlifter and Japan Ground…Yoshinobu Miyake (三宅 義信, Miyake Yoshinobu; born November 24, 1939) is a retired Japanese weightlifter and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Lieutenant. He won one silver and two gold medals at the 1960, 1964 and 1968 Olympics and finished fourth in 1972. He also won world titles in 1962, 1963 and 1965–66. Between 1959 and 1969 Miyake set 25 official world records, including 10 consecutive records in the snatch and nine consecutive records in the total. In 1993 he was inducted into the International Weightlifting Federation Hall of Fame. Miyake was known for his signature "frog style" or "Miyake pull" lifting technique, in which he kept his heels together with knees spread outward to about 60 degrees with a wide grip on the bar, resembling a frog. After retiring from competitions Miyake coached the national weightlifting team. His brother Yoshiyuki Miyake and niece Hiromi Miyake also won Olympic medals in weightlifting. All three were shorter than 1.56 m (5 ft 2 in). Miyake was one of the flagbearers for Japan in the opening ceremony of the 2020 Olympics.
Yuya Uchida (Japanese: 内田 裕也, Hepburn: Uchida Yūya; November 17, 1939 – March 17, 2019) was a Japanese singer, record…Yuya Uchida (Japanese: 内田 裕也, Hepburn: Uchida Yūya; November 17, 1939 – March 17, 2019) was a Japanese singer, record producer, and actor. With a career spanning six decades, he was a major figure in Japanese music. Kazuo Takeda stated that Japanese rock would not be what it is today without Uchida, as he was one of the first to bring what was happening in the West in the mid-1960s back to Japan. He appeared in numerous films, such as Nagisa Ōshima's Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, and won two best acting awards. He also starred in the American film Black Rain.
Midori Katō (加藤 みどり, Katō Midori; born November 15, 1939) is a Japanese actress, voice actress, and narrator who is…Midori Katō (加藤 みどり, Katō Midori; born November 15, 1939) is a Japanese actress, voice actress, and narrator who is most famous for the role of Sazae Fuguta from the long-running family anime Sazae-san. She is also known for voicing Yoshiko in Sally the Witch and Osomatsu Matsuno in Osomatsu-kun (1966).
Toshio Kojima (小島 敏男, Kojima Toshio; born 11 November 1939) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Toshio Kojima (小島 敏男, Kojima Toshio; born 11 November 1939) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kumagaya, Saitama and graduate of Chuo University, he had served in the city assembly of Kumagaya for three terms since 1971 and in the assembly of Saitama Prefecture for four terms since 1983. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1999.
Hiroshi Osada (長田弘, 1939–2015) was a Japanese poet and author known for his contributions to contemporary literature…Hiroshi Osada (長田弘, 1939–2015) was a Japanese poet and author known for his contributions to contemporary literature and children's literature.
Hisaoki Kamei (亀井 久興, Kamei Hisaoki; born 8 November 1939) is a former Japanese politician of the now defunct People's…Hisaoki Kamei (亀井 久興, Kamei Hisaoki; born 8 November 1939) is a former Japanese politician of the now defunct People's New Party and was a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kanoashi District, Shimane and graduate of Gakushuin University, he ran unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives in 1971 as an independent. He ran again three years later as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and was elected for the first time. His daughter Akiko Kamei is also a politician.
Kenji Kosaka (小阪 憲司, Kosaka Kenji; 1939 – March 16, 2023) was a Japanese psychiatrist, known for his pioneer research…Kenji Kosaka (小阪 憲司, Kosaka Kenji; 1939 – March 16, 2023) was a Japanese psychiatrist, known for his pioneer research on Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), which he first described.
Satoko Kizaki (木崎 さと子, Kizaki Satoko; born November 6, 1939) is a Japanese novelist. She is best known for The Phoenix…Satoko Kizaki (木崎 さと子, Kizaki Satoko; born November 6, 1939) is a Japanese novelist. She is best known for The Phoenix Tree (Aogiri), which won the 1985 Akutagawa Prize.
Keisuke Kihara (木原 敬介, Kihara Keisuke; born 5 November 1939 in Toyonaka) is a former mayor of Sakai in Japan. He was…Keisuke Kihara (木原 敬介, Kihara Keisuke; born 5 November 1939 in Toyonaka) is a former mayor of Sakai in Japan. He was first elected in 2001.
Haruo Yoshimuta (吉無田 春男, Yoshimuta Haruo; 5 November 1939 – 5 March 2025) was a Japanese swimmer who competed in the…Haruo Yoshimuta (吉無田 春男, Yoshimuta Haruo; 5 November 1939 – 5 March 2025) was a Japanese swimmer who competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics in the 200 Metres Butterfly, and in the 1964 Summer Olympics in the 400 Metres Freestyle. Haruo died from heart failure in Kitakyushu, on 5 March 2025, at the age of 85.